My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer

cake is so pretty,

knife and a paper plate, preparing

her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake,

a little girl in pigtails, immediately said,

the ‘Happy

close her eyes and make a

Rachel must blow out the

Rachel shook her head to indicate to Julian that there was no need to go

the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

a wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or

head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table

of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and

you!” their parents instructed, standing

the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like

smiled for

to be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now

never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At

on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure

she turned and headed toward the

inside her apartment and about to close the

slam, the door was propped open

head up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more

on business?

slid sideways into the house and shut the

“I see you’ve been

she took two steps back. Why

he pulled off his necktie and threw it

he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me

her, forcing her back inch

had no idea what she did

caught hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered